Mountain Biking - importance of a mountain bike

So do you really need a mountain bike when you go mountain biking? I mean, I see hikers going on trails. I even see people on foot going around town and stuff. Are bikes really that important?

Nah, not important at all. We should all be hitting the trails on SS aluminum road bikes with 700x23 tires.

Meh. Suspension is overrated; gears are overrated; pedals (clipless or otherwise) are overrated; saddles are overrated. I will play retro-grouch and say that I like mountain biking down to its bare essence the way it was meant to be; give me a trail and a wheel I say . . . .

http://www.unicycle.com/images/catalog/iw/UNNIIMP.jpg

(with a tip o' the hat to Johhny Hart, 1931-2007)

A bike should be an integral part of biking. If you were hiking, jogging, or swimming I would say no, but since you are talking about mountain biking then a mountain bike should be of the utmost importance. :)

Duh! Yes!

I would like to say for the record, I truely regret my participation, however minor, in the downward slide of this subforum.

I would like to say for the record, I truely regret my participation, however minor, in the downward slide of this subforum.Hey, leave me out of this. Oh, wait, I'm partially to blame.

So do you really need a mountain bike when you go mountain biking?

Yes..... it improves traction on rough terrain.

No, they are not important to mountain biking. The mountain isn't either.

bike good

Does your mountain bike need a rider?

At the very least you need a BMX bike...

Benefits of gears include increased traction and stabler handling over rough terrain.

Do you really need one? Probably not. PROVIDED the bike you are usuing is a suitable frame and has beefy enough wheels, you can get away with just about anything.

Cross bikes are a good example of this. CF forks solid frame decently wide tires, all meant to be ridden on single track type conditions. I could probably get away with one of those for the type of riding I do.

However, there is no denying that a mountain specific bike is helpful and can be beneficial for riding trails and such. Particularly the cush of suspension is very benefical to those of us who fit back problems from time to time.

But back to these "gears", what are they about and how do you get them? :) ;)

Benefits of mountain bikes include increased traction and stabler handling over rough terrain.

At the very least you need a BMX bike...
Ha-HA A kid I work with wanted to try his BMX on our local trail, so off we went. He was pretty quick for about a quarter mile, but then it was over. He was stopping every hundred yards or so cause the climbs were killing him! IT didn't look fun at all!

So do you really need a mountain bike when you go mountain biking? I mean, I see hikers going on trails. I even see people on foot going around town and stuff. Are bikes really that important?

I would look pretty silly running in place in my living room with my faux trail simulator setup. Yes, they are crucial.

the real question is whether mountains need bikes.

the real question is whether mountains need bikes.Or maybe the real question is, do bikes need us?

I have actually noticed that bikes last longetr when not used.... perhaps all you guys are detrimental to your bike's well-being?

I have actually noticed that bikes last longetr when not used.... perhaps all you guys are detrimental to your bike's well-being?In addition, I've notice that mine routinely tries to spit me off - -is it telling me something?

perhaps... if it only tries to spit you off when the terrain is full of pointy objects, I would tend to think your bike doesn't like you, as opposed to a soft grass spit-off, which would merely indicate that your bike is not inclined to go for a ride.

Is the mountain bike important? Yes, very important.

the bike is god.

NO. It's a marketing ploy started by Specialrek and Fishondale.

wait, you guys do this with bikes?

NO. It's a marketing ploy started by Specialrek and Fishondale.

Don't be stealing my verbage............

Look deep and find your inner smartass.

Don't be stealing my verbage............

Look deep and find your inner smartass.

yes sensei.

Don't be stealing my verbage............

Look deep and find your inner smartass.

The term "smartass" makes me want to puke! Literally!

The term "smartass" makes me want to puke! Literally!

When you feel this urge you need to center yourself, take a deep breath,repeat.........
Tapshoes
Tapshoes
Tapshoes.......

When you feel this urge you need to center yourself, take a deep breath,repeat.........
Tapshoes
Tapshoes
Tapshoes.......

http://www.tapatoe.de/images/startbild.jpg

jazz hands!

http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/pic/adc/10048355A~Dick-Barry-Van-****-Diagnosis-Murder-Posters.jpg

No vomit on this thread.

So do you really need a mountain bike when you go mountain biking? I mean, I see hikers going on trails. I even see people on foot going around town and stuff. Are bikes really that important?

what a dumb thread, obviously a mountain bike is essential for.....(wait for it)...mountain biking.:rolleyes:

what a dumb thread, obviously a mountain bike is essential for.....(wait for it)...mountain biking.:rolleyes:

Are you sure? What of the hikers? They seem to be making do without the bike. And that whole pesky issue regarding eyelets for the saddle bags is solved with the backpacks.

I'm convinced this whole bike requirement is just some hidden agenda pushed by the mountain bike companies to sell more bikes.

puke

what a dumb thread, obviously a mountain bike is essential for.....(wait for it)...mountain biking.:rolleyes:Another person with their sarcasm indicator on the fritz. I got a kick out of your thread, santiago; it kinda rounded out the "importance of . . ." theme that got going.

Another person with their sarcasm indicator on the fritz. I got a kick out of your thread, santiago; it kinda rounded out the "importance of . . ." theme that got going.

Yeah, this was the first I came across so I fell, hook, line and sinker, for it...:rolleyes::o

I cant actually believe that I read through this entire thread, at first I just thought it was worded poorly. But now I actually want the last five minutes of my life back what is the matter with you santiago is there a serious question or are you just spaming a forum setup to help people?

I cant actually believe that I read through this entire thread, at first I just thought it was worded poorly. But now I actually want the last five minutes of my life back what is the matter with you santiago is there a serious question or are you just spaming a forum setup to help people?

Well think of it. Do you mountain bike for the trails or to ride the bike? I mean, if you wanted to ride a bike you can simply set up a trainer or stationary bike at home, or even ride road. However, if you're looking to experience the trails then why not go hiking? You're moving at a slower pace, able to take in the scenery, and you just saved yourself hundreds if not thousands of dollars.

Think it through carefully before coming to such quick conclusions.

Ok well I ride trails because its great excersise, is much lower impact on my back and knees, much more fun then walking as its high speed, its much more fun to try and get over a log on a bike then just stepping over it. If your going to ask if you need a bike why not ask if you need a car, do you need shoes? Its a convieniance but the nice view is not the only thing that we go riding for. Its an adrenaline rush, its technical it takes thinking as well as physical skill. So as I was saying before as I was easily able to answer that the question seems silly its a matter of preferance but if your into walking this really isnt the place for you.

Well, when you put it THAT way.... Salsa obviously mountainbikes to beat himself up so he has an excuse not to do his chores.

Ok well I ride trails because its great excersise, is much lower impact on my back and knees, much more fun then walking as its high speed, its much more fun to try and get over a log on a bike then just stepping over it. If your going to ask if you need a bike why not ask if you need a car, do you need shoes? Its a convieniance but the nice view is not the only thing that we go riding for. Its an adrenaline rush, its technical it takes thinking as well as physical skill. So as I was saying before as I was easily able to answer that the question seems silly its a matter of preferance but if your into walking this really isnt the place for you.

Well what if I get a nice looking mountain bike and put it on the bike rack, drive to the trail and then go hiking? I get the best of both worlds I get the physical workout from having to lift the bike onto my roof and I get to experience the trails.

Then on my way home I can park a block away from a local Jamba Juice, unload the bike, ride over and talk to all the ladies. I'm thinking a downhill bike would have the best effect. Do you know if Target or Wal-mart have better downhill bikes?

Well what if I get a nice looking mountain bike and put it on the bike rack, drive to the trail and then go hiking? I get the best of both worlds I get the physical workout from having to lift the bike onto my roof and I get to experience the trails.

Then on my way home I can park a block away from a local Jamba Juice, unload the bike, ride over and talk to all the ladies. I'm thinking a downhill bike would have the best effect. Do you know if Target or Wal-mart have better downhill bikes?
So the conclusion is that mountain bikes are important but riding them is not? Sounds like a compromise. Are you a politician?

ok sorry I fell into such a completly useless thread

ok sorry I fell into such a completly useless thread

I just noticed you're fairly new here. There were a couple of threads started along the lines of "how important are..." that got pretty silly. I decided to start my own.

There is a lot of joking around here and you have to keep track of a lot of things in a lot of threads as they come back again and again. That's our shtick here.

Yeah I actually started to realize that after the second response I have been in quite a few forums and alot of them the people are just condesending and mean so I havent really developed enough sense of humor here yet I suppose.

Do you know if Target or Wal-mart have better downhill bikes?

Yeah, they have some pretty sweet rigs. You know, full suspension, kickstand, bar ends that go straight up in the air. The cool thing is they take all of the confusion out of bike sizing by only making a standard size. I mean, who the hell knows if they need a 21 or 15" bike... WTF?

Also I think the ones with X-Games logos are super bad-ass for racing down cliffs, urban assualts and trials.

My wife and I have been racing a trail running series this year that takes place on one of our better biking trails. They get progressively longer each race. the final race will be a 50K or 31 mile race. Really, bike or no, I just enjoy the trails!